🛑 Racism

This Old Man has derogatory lyrics and troubling content. “Paddywhack” is a derogatory term, making this song unsuitable for storytime. The exact origins of the song are ambiguous and largely anecdotal. Although accounts disagree, the interpretation of the song as offensive to Irish people is widespread.

You can learn more about it from these articles:

• Wordorigins: Paddywhack.
• Derogatory references to the Irish. 
• The Racial Slur Database: Paddy. 
• Paddywhacking and Mick-taking: Of Being on First-name Terms with the Irish Other. 
• Nursery Rhyme This Old Man He Played One Meaning: Nursery Rhymes History | True Rhymes. 
• What does the nursery rhyme/song “This old man” mean?

💚 Suggested safe alternatives:

• The Self-Care Stretch by Ms. Christina (counts up to twelve).
• One From The Left by Jim Gill (counts up to ten).
• Diez Pajaritos / Ten Little Birds by 123 Andrés (counts down from and up to ten).